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A LESSON FROM NATURE. A SOMEWHAT singular process is at this time going on within my observation, which, as it is an evidence of the harmony often found to exist in one class of created beings, may teach a moral lesson to another.

Two canary birds, out of a number of about twenty, contained in the same aviary, lately deposited their eggs in one and the same nest; and the sagacious mothers have entered into a most affectionate and interesting confederacy, to secure the indulgence of their own maternal feelings, and promote the benefit of their common stock. These little creatures evince the most tender and watchful anxiety in relieving one another from the toil of nursing, which they effect in the most delicate manner: but the more surprising part of their history is, that from an apparent consciousness of the increased difficulties to be contended with, from the unusual number of eggs, they are frequently seen lying close and snug together, side by side, in the same nest, with a most perfect understanding that as they have a joint and equal interest in their unconscious charge, so they must by all means encourage every kindly feeling between themselves.

ANNIVERSARIES IN JUNE. -
MONDAY, 24th.

THE Church holds a festival on this day, in commemoration
of the wonderful circumstances which attended the birth of St.
John the Baptist, the precursor of the Messiah. In her services
she celebrates, by appropriate passages from Scripture, the most
remarkable facts of his life, ministry, and of his death, which was
commemorated formerly on the 29th of August, still called, in our
Almanacs, the Beheading of St. John, although no service is now
appointed for it. This day is also called Midsummer Day, and is
the second quarter of the year.

1494 Newfoundland, in North America, discovered by Cabot, an English navigator.

TUESDAY, 25th.

1314 The battle of Bannockburn, between the English and Scotch, under Robert Bruce, in which the former were completely defeated, though greatly superior in numbers and discipline. Edward II. narrowly escaped being taken prisoner.

WEDNESDAY, 26th.

1752 Died, at Placentia in Italy, where he was born, Cardinal Alberoni, Prime Minister of Spain. He was the son of a gardener, from which lowly station his talents, and the circumstances of the times, raised him to the first dignities of the state. After having governed Spain for several years, he was disgraced and banished to Italy.

THURSDAY, 27th.

It were well if they who have the same end to accomplish, in bringing any desirable system into existence, either in the moral, religious, or political world, could be found to imitate the wisdom of their inferiors of the feathered tribe-that they would manifest the same identity of interest, and concentrate their powers with the same simplicity and judgment, that their united efforts might accomplish that which, singly, they have no power to do: thus increasing their present happiness by the exercise of christian love, and ensuring a future satisfaction to themselves, and benefit to others, by the wise and faithful management of those who shall eventually repay their care by 1830 William IV. proclaimed with the usual solemnities. loyal attachment and affectionate respect.

363 A. D. Died the Emperor Julian, called the Apostate, because, having been educated in the Christian Religion, and professed its doctrines, at the age of twenty-four, he declared himself a convert to Paganism, though, when his interest seemed to require it, he still observed publicly the rites of Christianity. When he became Emperor, he caused himself to be proclaimed Sovereign Pontiff of the Pagans; and did everything in his power to destroy the Christian religion. FRIDAY, 28th.

Ware.

CHARACTERS in which the affections and the moral qualities predominate over fancy, and all that bears the name of passion, are not, when we meet with them in real life, the most striking and interesting, nor the easiest to be understood and appreciated; but they are those on which, in the long run, we repose with increasing confidence, and ever new delight.- -MRS. JAMESON.

A CHANCE HIT.-A distinguished Poet, now living, was admiring the Falls of the Clyde, when he overheard a smartly-dressed man say to his companion, "It is a majestic waterfall." The poet was so delighted with the word, which he thought exactly suitable to the object, that he could not help turning round and saying, "Yes, Sir, it is majestic; you have hit the expression; it is better than sublime, or fine, or beautiful." The man was highly pleased, and replied, “Well, I really think it the majestickest, prettiest thing of the kind I ever saw."

THE ANT AND THE GLOW-WORM.

WHEN night had spread its darkest shade,
And e'en the stars no light convey'd,
A little Ant, of humble gait,
Was pacing homewards somewhat late.
Rejoiced was she to keep in sight
A splendid Glow-worm's useful light,
Which, like a lantern, clear, bestow'd
Its service o'er her dangerous road.
Passing along with footstep firm,

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She thus address'd the glittering worm;
"A blessing, neighbour, on your light!
I kindly thank you for't. Good night!"
"What!" said the vain, though gifted thing
"Do you employ the light I bring?
If so, I'll keep it out of view,
I do not shine for such as you."
It proudly then its light withdrew.
Just then, a traveller passing by,
Who had beheld with curious eye
The beauteous lustre, now put out,
Left all in darkness and in doubt,
Unconscious, stepp'd his foot aside,
And crush'd the glow-worm in its pride.
GOD in his wise and bounteous love,
Has given us talents to improve;
And they who hide the precious store
May do much harm, but suffer more.-M.

1461 Edward IV. crowned at Westminster.

SATURDAY, 29th.

ST. PETER'S DAY.-Simon Peter was born at Bethsaida, a city of
Upper Galilee; his father's name was Jonas, and he had a brother,
Andrew, also called to be an Apostle; he was a married man,
living at Capernaum, and exercising his trade of a fisherman, when
called by our Lord to become a fisher of men; and it was with him
that our blessed Saviour is supposed to have generally resided. He
was the oldest of all the Apostles, and was, with James and John,
chosen by our Lord to be a witness of many facts to which the others
were not privy. Origen, as quoted by Eusebius, says St. Peter is
supposed to have preached to the Jews dispersed in Pontus,
Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia; and this is the only
authentic account we have of his life, after his history in the Acts
of the Apostles closes; but it is a favourite legend, that his apo-
stolic labours extended even to this island, the most western extre-
mity of the Roman Empire. He suffered martyrdom at Rome, in
the reign of Nero, probably about the year 65, by crucifixion, as
had been foretold to him by our Saviour; but his humility, which
was as remarkable as his zeal, led him to desire that he might suffer
with his head downwards, not thinking himself worthy to die the same
death as his blessed Master. On the same day St. Paul also suffered,
but, being a Roman citizen, he was beheaded, while St. Peter
underwent the more painful and ignominious fate awarded to slaves
and aliens. This coincidence in the day of their death, caused their
names to be joined in the Calendars of the Latin and Greek
churches; but in ours St. Paul is commemorated on his conversion,
St. Peter on the day of his martyrdom.

1774 Died at Little Ealing, Middlesex, the eminently learned and
pious Dr. Pearce, Bishop of Rochester.
SUNDAY, 30th.

.

1689 This day is disgraced by the horrible barbarity perpetrated on it by Rosene, General of King James's forces in Ireland, under the walls of Londonderry.

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LONDON: JOHN W. PARKER,

29TH, 1833.

PRINTER, WEST STRAND.

PRICE ONE PENNY.

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMITTEE OF GENERAL LITERATURE AND EDUCATION, APPOINTED BY THE SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.

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LEANING TOWERS.

No. III. THE LEANING TOWER AT PISA.

IN concluding our observations on leaning towers, there only remains for us to notice the celebrated tower at Pisa, in Italy. Its height is about 187 feet, it is ascended by 355 steps, and contains seven bells. It stands alone, unconnected with the neighbouring buildings, and was probably intended as an ornamental belfry *. It is inclined from the perpendicular rather more than fourteen feet. It is built of marble and granite, and has eight stories, formed of arches, supported by 207 pillars, and divided by cornices. Its form and proportions are graceful, and its whole appearance, from a short distance, remarkably beautiful. Whilst approaching the city (which is situated on an extensive plain) at the distance of a few miles, the effect, when the tower is seen over the tops of the trees, between two others which are perpendicular, is so striking, that the spectator feels almost inclined to doubt the evidence of his senses. It was erected about A. n. 1174, by Wilhelmus, or William, a German architect, assisted by two Pisans. From the inclination of the stairs, it seems to a person going up or down hastily to roll like a ship. This beautiful structure, notwithstanding its inclination, seems to have withstood the ravages of time with more than usual success, as it has now stood for more than 600 years, without any fissure, or the slightest perceptible sign of decay. Travellers, antiquaries, and the learned in general, have been perplexed and divided in opinion, with respect to the cause of the inclination: some have argued in favour of its being accidental; others have merely stated the different opinions on the subject, without giving their own; whilst Dr. Arnott, in his popular work "on the Elements of Physics," distinctly says that it was built intentionally inclined, to frighten or surprise.

It has remained for the accurate observation of an English lady, who travelled in Italy a few years ago, to set the question at rest, by discovering what had escaped the notice of so many learned gentlemen. "In that part of the Campo Santo †," says Mrs. Starke, "in which the life of St. Ranieri is painted, we see the now leaning tower upright." These paintings are supposed to have been done about A. D. 1300, more than one hundred years after the tower was erected: so that it may now be considered as certain, that the inclination was caused by the gradual sinking of the earth, as in all the other instances in Italy. This opinion is confirmed by the circumstances of the lowest row of pillars being sunk deep in the earth, the mouldings not running parallel with the horizon, and the inclination of the stairs. Very accurate models of this tower, are frequently beautifully made in alabaster and marble; a shop in the Strand, near Somerset-house, is seldom without one of these elegant ornaments in the window. With these observations, we conclude the subject of Leaning Towers.

Detached belfries, on a smaller scale, are still to be found near churches in some parts of England, particularly in Norfolk and Suffolk.

The Campo Santo, or Holy Field, is a neighbouring buryingground, the soil of which was brought from the Holy Land. The cloisters are ornamented with curious paintings on stucco, and contain some fine monuments and beautiful remains of antiquity. The Diorama in the Regent's Park at present exhibits a most accurate view of the interior.

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A VISIT TO THE FALLS OF NIAGARA. THE following account of a visit to the Falls of Niagara has been communicated to us by Mr. N. GOULD. It forms a part of his unpublished Notes on America and Canada.

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My attention had been kept alive, and I was all awake to the sound of the cataract: but, though within a few miles, I heard nothing. A cloud hanging nearly steady over the forest, was pointed out to me as the "spray-cloud;" at length we drove up to Forsyth's Hotel, and the mighty Niagara was full in view. My first impression was that causing, for a few minutes, a kind of vacuity: but while of disappointment; a sour sort of deep disappointment, I mused I began to take in the grandeur of the scene. This impression is not unusual on viewing objects beyond the ready catch of the senses; Stonehenge and St. Paul's Cathedral seldom excite much surprise at first sight; the enormous Pyramids, I have heard travelbut require time to appreciate. The fact is, that the first lers say, strike with awe and silence on the near approach, view of Niagara is a bad one, and the eye, in this situa tion can comprehend but a small part of the wonderful scene. You look down upon the cataract instead of up to it; the confined channel, and the depth of it, prevent the astoupling roar which was anticipated, and at the same time the eye wanders midway between the water and the cloud formed by the spray, which it sees not. After a quarter of an hour's gaze, I felt a kind of fascination,-a desire to find myself gliding into eternity in the centre of the Grand Fall, over which the bright-green water appears to glide, like oil, without the least commotion.

"I approached nearly to the edge of the Table Rock,' and looked into the abyss. A Miss C, from Devonhad approached its very edge, and sat with her feet over shire, had just retired from the spot; I was informed she the edge, an awful and dangerous proceeding.

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Having viewed the spot, and made myself acquainted with some of its localities, I returned to the hotel (Forsyth's), which, as well as its neighbouring rival, is admirably situated for the view; from my chamber-window I looked directly upon it, and the first night I could find but little sleep from the noise. Every view I took increased my admiration, and I began to think that the other Falls I had seen were, in comparison, like runs from kettle-spouts on hot plates. I remained in this interesting neighbourhood five days, and saw the Fall in almost every point of view. From its extent, and the angular line it forms, the cause it is that no drawing has ever yet done justice to it. eye cannot embrace it all at once, and, probably, from this Some faint idea of this grand cataract may be formed, by giving its extent according to what on the spot is considered

nearest the truth.

"Lake Erie, a fresh water sea, 230 miles long, and nearly 50 miles wide on an average, suddenly contracts itself about eight miles above the Falls, from whence the river Niagara, (nearly a mile broad) runs with a rapid current for about five miles, when it divides into two streams, forming Grand Island, containing about 18,000 acres, and Navy Island containing 70 acres. The two streams now unite, and are about two miles broad, near the village and river of Chippewa: a little below this, the river contracts to the breadth of about a mile, and the current becomes strong; but when three quarters of a mile from the fall the stream is again divided by Goat Island. By far the greater body of water runs on the British side of the island, where it is hurried into a grand rapid, lowering its height fifty feet, before it precipitates itself by a perpendicular pitch a height of 149 feet.

"Of the two falls, that on the British side is by far the grandest from its shape, it is called the HORSE-SHOE, but as it is evidently working backwards, the shape has become almost an angle. As to its extent, the Horse-shoe, including its curve, is about 2100 feet; the breadth of Goat Island intervening, about 980 feet; the American Falls, 1140, making the whole extent about 4220 feet, or full three quarters of a mile The height of the Horseshoe Fall is 149 feet, of the American Falls, 162 feet.

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to reach which you cross in a crazy ferry-boat; the passage | is safe enough, but the current is strongly agitated. Its depth, as near to the Falls as can be approached, s from 180 to 200 feet. The water, as it passes over the rock, where it is not whipped into foam, is a most beautiful seagreen, and it is the same at the bottom of the Falls. The foam, which floats away in large bodies, feels and looks like salt water after a storm: it has a strong fishy smell. The river, at the ferry, is 1170 feet wide. There is a great quantity of fish, particularly sturgeon and bass, as well as eels; the latter creep up against the rock under the Falls, as if desirous of finding some mode of surmounting the heights.

There is a stair-case, to ascend the cliff on the American side, and a cleverly-constructed bridge of eight arches across the rapids, above the Fall, to Goat Island. No small share of boldness and ingenuity has been displayed, in throwing this bridge across, by General Porter, of the United States. A small sum is required of visitors in crossing it. The island itself is a pretty and sequestered spot: on the side towards the British frontier, a platform has been carried out for a considerable distance, immediately over the Fall, on its very edge, so that you may look down upon, or rather into, the abyss. An excellent road was forming (1828), on the British side, to the ferry, by blasting the rock, a similar operation being designed on the American side also.

"Some of the visiters to this singular spot, go under the Falls, an undertaking more curious than pleasant. Three times did I go down to the house, and once paid for my guide and bathing dress, when something occurred to prevent me. The lady before alluded to, performed the ceremony, and it is recorded with her name in the book, that she went to the furthest extent that the guides can or will proceed. It is described, as like being under a heavy shower-bath, with a tremendous whirlwind driving your breath from you, and causing a peculiarly unpleasant sensation at the chest. The footing over the débris being slippery, the darkness barely visible, and the roar almost deafening. In the passage you kick against eels, many of them unwilling to move, even when touched; they appear

to be endeavouring to work their way up the stream.'

I HAD an opportunity of witnessing the case of a young cuckoo which was hatched in the nest of a water-wagtail, who had built in some ivy on a wall close to my house. It required the united efforts of both the old birds from morning to night to satisfy his hunger, and I never saw birds more indefatigable than they were. When the young cuckoo had nearly arrived at his full size, he appeared on the nest of the water-wagtail, 'like a giant in a cockboat. Just before he could fly he was put in a cage, in which situation the old birds continued to feed him, till by some accident he made his escape, and remained in a high elm-tree near the house. Here the water-wagtails were observed to feed him with the same assiduity for at least a fortnight afterwards. This cuckoo was very pugnacious, and would strike with its wings and open its mouth in great anger, whenever I put my hand near him.JESSE. Ir is an error, to imagine that devotion enjoins a total contempt of all the pleasures and amusements of human society. It checks, indeed, that spirit of dissipation which is too prevalent. It not only prohibits pleasures which are unlawful, but likewise that unlawful degree of attachment to pleasures in themselves innocent, which withdraws the attention of man from what is serious and important. But it brings amusement under due limitation, without extirpating it. It forbids it as the business, but permits it as the relaxation, of life. For there is nothing in the spirit of true religion, which is hostile to a cheerful enjoyment of our situation in the world.-BLAIR.

BALLOONS.

THE idea of constructing a machine, which should enable us to rise into, and sail through, the air, would seem to have occupied the human mind even in ancient times, but it was never realized till within the last fifty years. The first who appears to have speculated rationally upon the subject was the celebrated Friar Bacon; he flourished in the thirteenth century, and described a machine, consisting of two

hollow globes of thin copper, exhausted of air, which answered the expectations of the inventor.

the idea of constructing a chariot upon mechanical About the year 1630, Bishop Wilkins suggested principles, in which it would be possible to traverse the regions of air. Cotemporary with him was Francis Lana, a Jesuit, who proposed a method similar to that of Bacon.

In 1709, Gusman, a Portuguese friar, constructed a machine in the form of a bird, with tubes and bellows to supply the wings with air; the inventor was rewarded with a liberal pension, but his machine failed. Gusman, however, was not discouraged, for in 1736 he constructed a wicker basket, seven feet in diameter, and covered with paper, which rose to the height of two hundred feet in the air. The success of this experiment procured for him the reputation of being a sorcerer. Twenty years after this, however, the science of Aërostation began to be studied upon philosophical principles. Among the first who wrote upon this subject was Joseph Gallien, of Avignon, who, in 1755, published a treatise, in which he recommended the employment of a bag of cloth or leather, filled with air lighter than that of the atmosphere. The discovery of hydrogen gas, by Mr. Cavendish, in 1766, was, however, the nearest approach to success. Mr. Cavallo made trial of this gas in 1782; and Messrs. Mongolfier, in the same year, discovered the art of raising balloons by fire.

The first public ascent of a fire-balloon took place at Annonay, in France, in June, 1783; and, encouraged by the success of this experiment, Messrs. Robert constructed a balloon of thin silk, varnished with hydrogen gas; its inflation occupied several with a solution of India rubber, which they filled days. When completed, it was conveyed by torchlight to the Champ de Mars, and, on the 27th of August, ascended, in the presence of an immense multitude of spectators; after floating in air for three quarters of an hour, it descended in a field, fifteen miles from the place of its ascent.

Joseph Mongolfier was invited to Paris, by the Royal Academy of Sciences, and constructed a balloon of linen, lined with paper; its form was oval, seventy-five feet in height, and forty-three in width, which, when inflated by burning chopped straw and wool, was found to be capable of raising five hundred pounds' weight; a storm which took place at night destroyed the balloon and delayed the exhibition; but, in a few days after, it was placed in front of the palace at Versailles, where having been examined by the royal family, the inflation was completed, and a basket, containing a sheep, a duck, and a cock, being attached to it, it was liberated, and ascended to the height of 1500 feet. It feil about two miles from Versailles; the animals were uninjured, and the sheep was found quietly feeding near the place of its

descent.

Hitherto no person had possessed sufficient courage to attempt a voyage through the air; but Mongolfier having constructed a balloon of superior strength, M. de Rozier offered to make the experiment. The machine having been inflated, he took his seat in the car; and rose to the height of three hundred feet-the greatest altitude he could attain, the balloon having been secured by ropes. After remaining stationary for several minutes, it gradually descended. successful issue of this and subsequent experiments induced De Rozier to undertake an aërial voyage; and in November, 1783, he ascended from Paris, accompanied by the Marquis d'Arlandes: the balloon was visible during nearly the whole time of the

The

voyage, and descended in safety at the distance of five without waste of the hydrogen gas. Having attained miles from that city.

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A contest now arose between the partisans of the Mongolfierian mode of inflation and those who preferred hydrogen gas: the success of the late experiment gave a preponderance to the former method, but its opponents determined to bring the affair to a practical test: accordingly Messrs. Charles and Robert constructed a balloon of silk, varnished with a solution of elastic gum, the upper part being defended by a net, having a hoop round the centre, from which a car was suspended. The weight of the whole apparatus was 640 lbs., and on the 1st of December, 1783, they ascended from the Tuileries. They soon rose to the height of 2000 feet, and continued at that elevation for nearly two hours, when they alighted 27 miles from Paris. The balloon still BALLOON OF MM. ROBERT retained a great ascensive power; and, on M. Robert leaving the car, reascended with M.Charles, quickly attaining an elevation of 9000 feet. The earth was now no longer perceptible; but the sun, which had set previously to his second ascent, again became visible, and he saw its parting rays as it once more sank below the horizon: vapours ascending from the earth assumed the most fantastic forms, and the pale light of the newly-risen moon communicated a thousand varying hues; the approach of night, however, warned him to descend; he therefore opened the valve, and alighted in a field, three miles from Paris.

AND CHARLES.

the altitude of fourteen hundred feet, they were. greatly alarmed at the sombre aspect of the horizon, and the reverberation of distant peals of thunder; being also, for a considerable time, exposed to the fury of a whirlwind; from a sudden change of temperature they began rapidly to descend, but, on discharging some ballast, they reascended to the height of six thousand feet, the balloon continuing to be greatly agitated. Having surmounted the stormy region, the rays of the sun, unobscured by a cloud, caused so great an expansion of the gas, that they entertained serious apprehensions of a rupture of the balloon. In this exigency the duke pierced it in several places with his sword, to facilitate the escape of the gas, and, having narrowly escaped falling into a lake, they descended unhurt, after an excursion of five hours.

The first experiment in England was made by Count Zambeccari. On the 25th of November, 1783, a balloon of oiled silk, richly gilt, and filled with hydrogen gas, ascended from Moorfields, London. At the latter end of the same year, Mr. Sadler sent up one from Oxford. But the first aërial voyage in England was made by Signor Lunardi, who ascended from London on the 21st of September, 1784; he subsequently repeated the experiment in various parts of England, and in the following year ascended from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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LUNARDI.

In January, 1785, M. Blanchard and Dr. Jefferies undertook an excursion from Dover across the British Channel. The balloon rose slowly, and afforded them an enchanting view of the southern coast of England; but their progress was considerably impeded by the stillness of the air. When an hour had elapsed they began to descend, and threw out the whole of their ballast; on arriving midway between England and France, they threw out their books and provisions; still the ascensive power was so greatly diminished, that they parted with their anchors and ropes, stripped off their clothes, and secured themselves with slings, intending to cut away the car, when suddenly the balloon arose and approached the French coast; and, after a perilous journey of nearly three hours, they descended in the neighbourhood of Calais.

BLANCHARD.

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BLANCHARD'S BALLOON AND STEERING APPARATUS.

M. Blanchard, who afterwards acquired great celebrity as an aeronaut, and whose attention had long been directed to the invention of mechanical aids to the aerial voyager, made his first attempt in March, 1784, at Paris, in a balloon filled with hydrogen gas. Through the fears and imprudence of his companion, after having risen a few feet from the earth, they descended with a severe shock; but Blanchard, who now took the sole management, rose to the height of a mile; and, after having been driven through various currents of air during nearly two hours, he descended in safety.

In September, 1784, the Duke of Orleans, accompanied by Messrs. Robert, ascended in a balloon furnished with oars and rudder; to this a small balloon was attached, for the purpose of being inflated with ellows, and thus supplying the means of descent

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